Noticeboard

****UPDATE APRIL 2020****We are aware that some people are feeling worried about contacting their GP Surgery for advice and care, or contacting them much later than they would normally if they are unwell.

We want to assure you that your GP Surgery still expects and wants to hear from you if you need them- not just for Coronavirus related symptoms.

If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to telephone your surgery, but please don’t turn up there in person. You will be offered a telephone or video call with the relevant Health Professional and only if they feel it is necessary, you will be invited in for further assessment.

If you have symptoms of Coronavirus and need to be seen, this will be in a designated area.

**Due to the Corona Virus outbreak we are currently dealing with patients via a telephone triage system in the first instance

**Please do not attend the surgery under any cirucmstance if you have any of the following symptoms :- high temperature, new cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, in this instance please follow the guidance below.

We are currently requesting that FOR REPEAT PRESCRIPTION ENQUIRIES OR TEST RESULTS, PLEASE RING AFTER 2PM TO AVOID THE QUEUE FOR APPOINTMENTS.

We are pleased to inform all our patients and patients registered elsewhere, that we now provide IUD/IUS (coil) insertions and removals. Please contact the surgery for further information.

A new set of standards were announced by the Minister for Health and Social Services in March 2019 that are aimed to raise and improve the level of service for patients in Wales from their GP practices.

These standards are set out below;

People receive a prompt response to their contact with a GP practice via telephone.

Practices have the appropriate telephony systems in place to support the needs of people avoiding the need to call back multiple times and will check that they are handling calls in this way.

People receive bilingual information on local and emergency services when contacting a practice.

People are able to access information on how to get help and advice.

People receive the right care at the right time in a joined up way which is based on their needs.

People can use a range of options to contact their GP practice.

People are able to email a practice to request a non-urgent consultation or a call back.

Practices understand the needs of people within their practice and use this information to anticipate the demand on its services.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board will be supporting our practice to ensure these standards are achieved by March 2021.

We are aware that some people are feeling worried about contacting their GP Surgery for advice and care, or contacting them much later than they would normally if they are unwell.

We want to assure you that your GP Surgery still expects and wants to hear from you if you need them- not just for Coronavirus related symptoms.

If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to telephone your surgery, but please don’t turn up there in person. You will be offered a telephone or video call with the relevant Health Professional and only if they feel it is necessary, you will be invited in for further assessment.

If you have symptoms of Coronavirus and need to be seen, this will be in a designated area.

You are still able to book appointments in advance, the only difference is that these will be by telephone in the first instance.

IF YOU USUALLY ATTEND FOR CHRONIC DISEASE REVIEWS, BLOOD TESTS, INJECTIONS, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE PRACTICE TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU DURING COVID 19. WE ARE ONLY RESCHEDULING CERTAIN PROCEDURES ON THE ADVICE FROM GOVERNING BODIES. COPD/ASTHMA REVIEWS CONTINUE VIA VIDEO CONSULTATION/TELEPHONE CONSULTATION

How do I make an appointment to see a GP?

You can telephone us between the hours of 8am and 6.30pm on 01495 301210

You can book online using My Health On Line (this requires prior registration) - See Further information to the right of this screen

We offer on the day appointments for problems that can't wait for a routine appointment

We offer routine appointments

We offer appointments up to 28 days in advance.

All these appointments are available as:

TELEPHONE CONSULTATION IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.

How far in advance can I make an appointment to see a GP?

We offer GP appointments up to 28 working days in advance. If you are suffering with symptoms or a condition that can't wait for our next available appointment, please inform the receptionist so that she can assist you.

Important information when making an appointment with a GP

All patients are asked why they require an appointment to see a GP. This is to ensure all patients receive

The most appropriate medical care

From the most appropriate medical professional

At the most appropriate time

We will continue to provide the same level of service to our patients if they would prefer not to give the reason.

PLEASE SEE COVID TAB REGARDING APPOINTMENT BOOKINGS CURRENTLY

How do I make an appointment to see a GP?

You can telephone us between the hours of 8am and 6.30pm on 01495 301210

You can attend the Practice between the hours of 8am and 6.30pm

You can book online using My Health On Line (this requires prior registration) - See Further information to the right of this screen

We offer on the day appointments for problems that can't wait for a routine appointment

We offer routine appointments

We offer appointments up to 28 days in advance.

All these appointments are available as either:

A FACE TO FACE CONSULTATION or a

TELEPHONE CONSULTATION

How far in advance can I make an appointment to see a GP?

We offer GP appointments up to 28 working days in advance. If you are suffering with symptoms or a condition that can't wait for our next available appointment, please inform the receptionist so that she can assist you.

Important information when making an appointment with a GP

All patients are asked why they require an appointment to see a GP. This is to ensure all patients receive

The most appropriate medical care

From the most appropriate medical professional

At the most appropriate time

We will continue to provide the same level of service to our patients if they would prefer not to give the reason.

We would like all our patients to know that our reception team, have been trained in care navigation, alongside other reception teams within Blaenau Gwent. Care navigation is the offering of alternative services in the local area that may be more suited to your need. In offering this service, we do not discriminate against any of our patients decisions to accept the offer or not. You may be offered services such as :-

The local pharmacy - common ailment scheme

minor injuries department at YAB

Direct Access physiotherapy at YAB

A local optician

A dentist

***please see usual working days for GP's to view when your usual GP may be available****

Disabled Access

Our health centre has suitable access for disabled patients.

GP Training

Medical students and Nursing students attend the practice from time to time. We hope that you will co-operate with us and help the students to learn about general practice. However, you will be informed of their presence in advance, and if you do not want them to be present at a consultation, your wishes will be respected. This will not affect your treatment in any way.

You can either telephone the practice or call in and book a sick note consultation with your usual GP. These are usually carried out over the telephone unless the Gp requires a face to face consultation with you. You will be informed of this.

Receive my test results?

We will contact you to relay any action made by the GP following receipt of your test results. Appropriate actions may be:-

A further test in a specified time

A face to face appointment with a GP

A telephone appointment with a GP

A specific message that can be relayed to the patient by a staff member

We will not contact you if the GP deems this unnecessary.

Please note, this is the GP's usual working days although variation may occur during times of leave and other circumstances.

Appointments for blood tests can be made up to 6 weeks in advance. These are available by either telephoning the practice or in person. If you require a blood test following a hospital request and have the blood form in your possession, please bring it with you to the appointment.

The phlebotomist is only trained to take bloods so if you require further procedures such as BP, please indicate this to the receptionist at the time of the booking in order that you appointment is made with the right healthcare professional.

Home Visit Guidance

Chest pain, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness are emergencies please dial 999 for these symptoms

Requesting a Home Visit

Requests for visits should be made before 10:30am and at the latest 12noon. Visiting will normally take place after morning surgery. Please only request home visits if you are incapable of attending the surgery. Whenever possible, try and come into the surgery as facilities here are far better for examination and treatment. It helps us to judge the urgency of your call if you are able to describe your symptoms. The receptionists are trained to deal with your call so do expect to be asked. All information is confidential. The doctor may telephone prior to, or instead of, visiting. Visits requested later in the day that are for the housebound, but are not urgent, will not be seen that day. Ring early if you wish for a routine call if you are housebound.

Children

Sick children will always be seen as soon as possible if brought into the surgery; it is not appropriate to wait for a visit. We rarely visit children at home as a responsible adult should be available to bring them to the surgery.

Home visiting Guidance

This home visiting guidance is based on RCGP guidelines.You cannot insist that a GP visits you at home.

A GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it. A GP can also decide how urgently a visit is needed.

Due to increasing demand GPs can no longer automatically visit any patient who requests a home visit. All visits must now be triaged and dealt with according to clinical need.

GPs are better able to assess patients in the surgery where they have access to specialist equipment, good lighting and examination facilities and therefore it is always the preferable site for any consultation.

GPs having to visit inappropriate house call patients are delayed from visiting those patients who are in genuine need of a visit and therefore this poses an unacceptable clinical risk.

GPs are not responsible for ensuring that a patient has financial means to attend the surgery nor that the patient chooses to register with a practice that is difficult for them to get to in bad weather or without a car.

GPs are not obliged to visit a patient if they have assessed the patient's clinical need on the telephone and found them to be suitable for an alternative method of healthcare.

As long as the GP has provided a plan for a patient (which may be an appointment the same day, a future day, telephone advice or attendance at another healthcare site such as A&E, a message communicated via reception) then the Practice will support any such decision made.